Premier Jason Kenney made his announcement Saturday, Feb. 26 at the grand opening of the new Grande Prairie Regional Hospital. (Gov't of Alberta YouTube livestream)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

WE CAN'T KEEP LIVING THIS WAY, SAYS PREMIER

Alberta to lift mask mandate, most other COVID rules as of March 1

Feb 26, 2022 | 12:17 PM

Premier Jason Kenney announced Saturday morning that the provincial mask mandate will end on March 1.

Kenney was speaking from a special opening event for the new hospital in Grande Prairie.

Masking will still be required in higher-risk settings, including transit, health care facilities, and in continuing care.

All capacity limits will also be lifted, as well as restrictions on social gatherings, the hospitality sector, and schools.

The work from home order will also go by the wayside.

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

“Over the last three weeks, cases and hospitalizations have continued to drop as we have started lifting restrictions,” said Kenney. “This promising trend puts Alberta in a position to safely remove the majority of remaining public health measures. This is a good day for Albertans as we get another step closer to getting back to normal.”

Kenney noted that since step one took effect earlier this month, hospitalizations have dipped from above 1,600 to below 1,300, about 20 per cent. Daily new cases, though no longer the greatest indicator due to PCR testing dropping off, but still a good sign, have declined by about 90 per cent since peaking in mid-January at nearly 7,000 a day.

On Friday, there were just under 600 new cases reported by Alberta Health, with a known active case count just over 10,100.

“Fortunately, all signs here and across the world suggest that the worst of COVID-19 is behind us,” Kenney added. “There is no evidence to suggest that our transition to normal is negatively affecting our health care system.”

Health Minister Jason Copping also commented, saying he is pleased to see stress on the health care system lessen.

“Not only does this allow us to ease more public health measures, it also reduces the pressure and strain on our dedicated health-care workers who have worked tirelessly through the pandemic to provide expert care to Albertans.”

Mandatory isolation remains in place for those who has symptoms or tests positive for COVID-19, with that becoming a recommendation only once the province moves to step three, presumably in the near future.

Step two

Effective March 1:

• Remaining provincial school requirements (including cohorting) will be removed.
• Screening prior to youth activities will no longer be required.
• Capacity limits will be lifted for all venues.
• Limits on social gatherings will be removed.
• The provincial mask mandate will be lifted in most settings. However, masking will still be required in high-risk settings, including on public transit, at Alberta Health Services-operated and contracted facilities and all continuing care settings.
• Restrictions on interactive activities, liquor service and operating hours will be lifted
• Mandatory work-from-home requirements will be removed.

Step three

To be determined based on hospitalization rates continuing to trend downwards.

• COVID-19-specific measures in continuing care and acute care settings and on public transit will be removed.
• Mandatory isolation becomes a recommendation only.

The news conference can be viewed below, with COVID-related remarks at the beginning: